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19 arrested over Chinhoyi farm invasion
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Chinhoyi magistrate Nyasha Marufu on Friday granted bail to nineteen individuals charged with unlawfully occupying gazetted land at Dandrennam Farm in Lions' Den. Each accused was released on bail of US$20 and ordered to remain at their respective residences pending trial.
The group was apprehended last Wednesday at Brink Bosman Dandrennam Farm while reportedly erecting structures on the property, despite a government letter from Obert Jiri, Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, confirming Bosman as the lawful beneficiary of the farm.
Representing the accused, lawyer Fortune Murisi argued that all defendants have fixed addresses, have not interfered with State witnesses, and have not evaded justice. He assured the court of their availability for legal proceedings and offered bail deposits as surety. Prosecutor Rutendo Ngambizi did not object to the bail application.
The accused are scheduled to appear again in court on July 3, 2025, to face trial.
The land dispute follows earlier incidents in April when Thomas Chidzomba, a losing Zanu PF candidate for the Chinhoyi constituency in the August 2023 elections, together with four activists, invaded the same farm before being removed by court order.
The group was apprehended last Wednesday at Brink Bosman Dandrennam Farm while reportedly erecting structures on the property, despite a government letter from Obert Jiri, Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, confirming Bosman as the lawful beneficiary of the farm.
Representing the accused, lawyer Fortune Murisi argued that all defendants have fixed addresses, have not interfered with State witnesses, and have not evaded justice. He assured the court of their availability for legal proceedings and offered bail deposits as surety. Prosecutor Rutendo Ngambizi did not object to the bail application.
The accused are scheduled to appear again in court on July 3, 2025, to face trial.
The land dispute follows earlier incidents in April when Thomas Chidzomba, a losing Zanu PF candidate for the Chinhoyi constituency in the August 2023 elections, together with four activists, invaded the same farm before being removed by court order.
Source - NewsDay
